Wild Asparagus Festival

A festival dedicated to wild asparagus

The Wild Asparagus Festival is the most cherished spring event in Vezzano sul Crostolo, a small municipality in the Province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna, nestled on the first hills of the Reggio Apennines along the Crostolo stream. The absolute star is the wild asparagus, the spontaneous 'asparagina' that grows among the hedges and woods of these valleys: thinner, more bitter, and more fragrant than the cultivated variety, it is harvested in April and May and transformed into local peasant traditional dishes.

What to eat

The heart of the day is the food stalls, which open in the late morning in the squares and the sports area of the town. Among the typical dishes offered over the years: wild appetizer, wild asparagus tortelli, frittatas, asparagus burgers and patties, as well as the unmissable Emilian specialties like gnocco fritto, chizze, erbazzone, and piadina with porchetta. The restaurants and inns of Vezzano (including Hostaria Venturi, Terrazza 63, Osteria del Grano, Al Pan Brusee', and the Cooperativa Valcampola) also dedicate special asparagus menus on the festival days.

The Market and the 'Laboratori del Gusto'

From the morning, the streets of the center — Piazza della Libertà, Via Roma, Via Tintoria, and the small squares of the town — host a large quality agri-food market, with local producers, and exhibitions of vintage cars and supercars. There is also space for food culture with the 'Laboratori del Gusto' (Taste Workshops), curated by Emanuela Zannoni: guided tastings of Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, honey, and the native wine Spergola, organized with the support of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, the Compagnia della Spergola, and local dairies.

Outdoor activities on the Vezzano hills

In recent years, the festival has developed a strong outdoor focus, enhancing the natural environment of the Park and the Vezzano hills: guided walks on the trails, cycling tours, trail running, climbing wall, postural gymnastics, aikido, and judo, as well as old-fashioned games, pedal karts, and pony rides for the little ones. A formula that combines the taste of good food with the pleasure of being outdoors.

Tradition and local identity

Organized by the municipal administration together with COM.RE, the Pro Loco, and numerous Vezzano associations, the Wild Asparagus Festival is a typical Emilian village feast: free, popular, and rooted in the community. It takes place under the patronage of the Emilia Centrale Parks Authority, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, and the Province of Reggio Emilia, and has become an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Emilia-Romagna far from the most beaten tourist routes.